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Surprising Perks From Your Credit Card

It's likely you already carry a credit card that gives you access to freebies or special sports, theater or music events. For example, American Express cardholders get free membership to ShopRunner, a service normally valued at $79 per year that enables free two-day shipping from more than 140 online retailers.

Culture aficionados with a Bank of Americadebit or credit card enjoy free admission to a slew of museums across the U.S. on the first full weekend of each month, including the American Museum of Natural History, in New York City, and the Art Institute of Chicago (log in to BankofAmerica.com and click on "About Us"). Citi (go to www.citiprivatepass.com) and Chase (go to www.insideaccess.com allow their cardholders to purchase presale or preferred tickets to concerts, sports events, festivals and shows, private dinners with Michelin-starred chefs, and more. And golfers who carry a MasterCard can take advantage of a partnership with the PGA Tour (go to www.priceless.com/golf), with perks ranging from daylong access to elite private clubs and comped fees when booking tee times at public courses to a PGA Tour "player experience" (including a caddy and amenities usually reserved for PGA Tour pros).